Stranded students are 'in the lap of luxury' - envoy

The Botswana High Commissioner in India has refuted allegations that four students from Botswana were stranded in that country because the institution they were to study at did not provided them with accommodation inspite of their full sponsorships.

In a telephone interview last week, Dorcas Kgosietsile said the students, who arrived in Mumbai on a Sunday, had used the wrong exit from the airport while their contact persons from the Botswana mission and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations waited for them at the International Arrivals exit.

Their contact persons looked for them until they found them hours later. "They went through the Domestic Arrivals exit while people were waiting to welcome them at the International Arrivals exit," Kgosietsile said.  "They were with other Batswana students who were going to RAI Foundation who informed the contact persons that they must have gone in the wrong direction. The High Commissioner said after the students were found, they were brought to the mission for lunch and they spent the night at the accommodation provided by the institution.  "The following day, they went to school to register and were informed that they would be provided with other things after full registration," she said. "We then processed their settlement allowance as authorised by the Botswana government. They are in the lap of luxury as we speak."  Even so, Kgosietsile believes that most of students who arrive in India from Botswana are "fond of picking and choosing".

Editor's Comment
Stakeholders must step up veggie supply

The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...

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